Lewiston Public Schools
Job Description
Position Title: Staff / Grant Accountant (SM-11)
Department: Business Office
Reports To: Controller
Approved By: Superintendent of Schools Date: 1/10/2023
SUMMARY: Responsible for general and grant financial accounting, reporting, compliance oversight and Accounts Receivable.
SALARY: $57,323 - $68,427
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Other duties may be assigned.
- Reviews and/or generates required accounting entries to maintain school department general ledger accounts compliant with GAAP and GASB standards.
- Performs monthly reconciliations relating to cash, inter-fund accounts, liability accounts and other accounts as assigned.
- Manages setup and maintenance of grant and adult education financial records and accounting functions, including monthly financial reports of grant activity and balances.
- Creates and monitors grant budgets in financial accounting software, and processes grant budget amendments as needed
- Completes timely reimbursement requests in accordance with grant requirements, tracks grant revenue according to underlying grant documents, and regularly monitors grant expenditure compliance.
- Performs Accounts Receivable functions for all district funds, including general fund, adult education, grants and nutrition.
- Reviews payroll staffing and Maine PERS documents to ensure grant coding accuracy.
- Prepares “time and effort” documentation for payroll grant compliance
- Acts as a liaison between the grant managers and the Business Office.
- Provides grant expenditure backup documentation upon request from the State Dept. of Education
- Assists with preparation for the annual independent audit of the school, including preparation of all year-end grant documentation
- Assists in providing training and support for financial systems and processes
- Completes state reporting requirements relating to school finance.
- Prepares for and assists with federal or state grant audits.
- Works with business office staff to ensure accurate coding and to research/correct any unresolved items posted to general ledger accounts.
- Assists with preparing budgets and contributes to other projects as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
None.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Accounting and School Finance experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of college level education and experience or as determined by the Superintendent of Schools. Bachelor’s Degree preferred. General ledger expertise required. Knowledge of/experience with Federal grant programs is preferred.
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read and interpret detailed and/or technical documents and manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively with employees and explain financial information to a variety of stakeholders.
MATHEMATICAL and TECHNICAL SKILLS:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute hourly, daily and annual contractual rates and benefits.
Intermediate level or higher ability to design and maintain Excel spreadsheets/Google Sheets in order to perform tracking, calculation, analysis, reconciliation, and reporting functions. Ability to create and manage financial and operating data using MS PowerPoint and MS Word/Google Suite. Experience with Enterprise ERP (formerly Munis) software preferred.
REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to analyze data and address a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to problem-solve in unique situations. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram or schedule form.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:
Detail-oriented; able to self-direct and adhere to deadlines; ability to multi-task and prioritize; supportive in a team environment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to move throughout the office environment with or without the use of stairs, ramps and elevators. The employee is occasionally required to reach overhead. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.
Occasionally, yet essential to this position, the individual must meet deadlines with severe time constraints, interacting with the public and other workers. Occasionally the position requires the employee to work irregular or extended hours, direct responsibility for the safety, well-being or work output of other people and meet multiple demands from several people.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.